Sunday, August 10, 2014

Every princess needs an organza tutu. I made this one using a sequined headband from the dollar store. Following instructions from YouTube videos I cut strips of blue organza in 6" x 18" and 6" x 17" wide strips. I threaded the end of the strip through a space in the headband and out the front side, repeating the process for the other end 2-3 gaps over. The strips are added about an inch apart. There are two rows. If you choose to use tulle, you will probably want 3 rows to get the same fullness. I finished the waistband with a strip of satin ribbon attached the same way as the strips and tied into a bow. This went together really fast. I had it done in an evening. This tutu was a gift for a friend's daughter's first birthday. The picture was so cute - a big puff of organza with a darling blue-eyed toddler peeking out.



Sunday, July 20, 2014




Lorelei's Fairy House from Upcycled Tin

I intended to cut this hexangonal Sutter Home wine tin into pieces for jewelry but Lorelei has been desparate to make a fairy house. I started by cutting doors and windows with tin snips. I had Lorelei do a little smoothing with a metal file. Ultimately, it was easier to apply an edge of metal tape around the openings to protect delicate fairy wings. We used a game board for the base. Lorelei added skeleton leaves to the roofline and I had a nest in my floral stash that we added for the roof. I cut a small gourd and made an awning for a little house without a knowing where we were going with it. Lorelei came up with the idea to make it a ladybug house and it turned out really cute. All the bark, pebbles and moss were glued into place. We gathered bark outdoors. I bought a mixed bag of moss at Michael's. I added pieces of grapevine to make the arch over the house and twisted in some beaded wire. The door is attached with ribbon. Inside is a table made from a leaf with twigs for legs.





I have a flex shaft to drill small holes. Working with tin, it is easier if you start the hole by marking it with a spring loaded punch.